Trent Alexander-Arnold, a new defender and the Thurams - How Liverpool return to being Man City's closest rivals

Jurgen Klopp had his worst season as Liverpool manager but they at least showed signs of a comeback late in the campaign.

For parts of the season it wouldn't have come as a huge surprise if the team had missed out on European football altogether for next season.

However the decision to move Trent Alexander-Arnold into an inverted full back seemed to coincide with an upturn in form for the team.

They put pressure on both Manchester United and Newcastle United for the top four but just fell short. Despite that they're second favourites for the title next season.

Whilst it seems unlikely anyone can stop Manchester City making it four in-a-row, we've outlined what the Reds need to do to have any chance.

The most important thing

With Alexis Mac Allister having already arrived on a relative bargain from Brighton, the club have already started fixing the most obvious flaw in the team.

Liverpool fans were flabbergasted last year when the manager initially didn't feel the need to sign a new midfielder only to change his mind and bring in Arthur Melo on loan.

That signing didn't work out and the former Borussia Dortmund manager baffled people again in January by signing Cody Gakpo rather than strengthening the middle of the park.

The Dutch forward's ability to press from the front did help with turning the fortunes around towards the end of the campaign but now it's time to address the midfield.

World Cup winner Mac Allister's arrival on Merseyside is a huge boost. Image: Alamy

Top transfer target

Well obviously Klopp is in need of a midfielder to fit straight into his first team with Mac Allister and there's plenty of options.

Kephren Thuram is expected to arrive from Nice this summer but in reality Nicolo Barella should be the top target especially if Inter Milan's money problems persist and mean they have to sell the brilliant Italian.

Speaking of money problems, Franck Kessie could leave Barcelona just a year after joining and he might be a bargain too for Liverpool and is the type of all action player Klopp would love.

The arrival of their former top target Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid had some reports linking them to Federico Valverde but that seems highly unlikely.

Barella is one of the best midfielders around right now. Image: Alamy

Who needs to go

Liverpool have already rejected a transfer offer for Fabio Carvalho from RB Leipzig despite reports the midfielder wants to leave.

He is expected to exit Anfield still but at the moment the club are only willing to see him go an a temporary loan move this summer.

Despite a selection of midfielders having already left the team wouldn't be much worse off if Fabinho or Thiago joined them out the door.

With midfield reinforcements coming in and the pair nowhere near their best through loss of form and injury in the past year it wouldn't be the problem it previously would have been.

Finally there’s Caoimhin Kelleher who really needs to be allowed to leave so he can prove himself as a first choice goalkeeper, even if the manager doesn’t want to hear it.

Klopp has said he doesn't want Caoimhin Kelleher to leave but the keeper needs first team football. Image: Alamy

Other additions

I'm feeling like I could be his agent at this point but with Marcus Thuram available on a free transfer it wouldn't be the worst idea to try and replace Roberto Firmino with a forward who can play in a number of positions.

That's probably not the priority though and another centre back is definitely ahead on the shopping list, with Virgil van Dijk having a poor season, especially by his standards.

Both the Dutchman and Joel Matip will hit 32 this season so a younger player such as Jurrien Timber wouldn't go amiss, especially as the Ajax star can also play at right back.

Left footed Goncalo Inacio from Sporting is another player who they could look at, which could mean Van Dijk moving to the right side of the defence.

A right back for cover is something else that needs to be addressed especially as former stand in and all round utility man James Milner has gone.

Timber has also been targeted by Manchester United. Image: Alamy

One more thing

Alexander-Arnold's move into the inverted full back had him popping up in central areas more often than not and certainly impressed many.

Some still questioned if he could continue to play that position against better opposition and it leaves Klopp having to make a decision on tactics.

In the past it's been suggested that the England star could even play as a midfielder and despite signing Alexis Mac Allister Liverpool still need to strengthen the centre of the park.

Could moving the defender into midfield on a more permanent basis and signing a right back to replace him be the answer to all his problems?